Untangling the Economic and Social Impediments to Producer Adoption of Organic Wheat

Consumer demand for organic products has grown rapidly in recent years, encouraging the development of a wide range of organic products. Demand for organic wheat products, such as breads and baked goods, currently exceeds supply. This study examines the economic and social impediments to producer adoption of organic wheat through an online survey of wheat producers in the western United States conducted in 2018. Results show that wheat producers are transitioning out of organic production due to pest control and profitability concerns. Current organic wheat producers were motivated to adopt organic methods by profit potential and personal values at the time of transition